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Gronck will follow Amelia in to the building and then in to the room where the high priest awaits them, taking care not to touch anything just in case he breaks it.
Once in the room he will sit on the floor and start listening to what Deovain has to say but it's not long before that same look of confusion appears on his face as when Amelia introduced herself.
Once Deovain has finished speaking he'll turn to Jack and ask
"Wat him be sayin?"
To Gronck:
He said he will give us food and supplies to go to mountain. If we get unicorn horn at mountain, we get money.
Once Deovain has finished speaking he'll turn to Jack and ask
"Wat him be sayin?"
"Want a job?" Jack says, smiling. "Seems they lost a horn and we get to find it. Anything we find along the way is ours to keep. High risk, high reward. My kind of job!"
To the high priest:
"Who is the other occupant here? The one wishing to observe under a cowl?"
The High Priest smiles through steepled fingers.
"That my dear is Kimeon Rake, a fellow traveller you might say. He arrived right before you did. It seems that you may have use of his abilities. Oh and dont let looks deceive you...!"
To the high priest:
"I don't let looks deceive me, you must expect anything at anytime."
To Mr. Rake:
"What is it that you do exactly Mr. Rake? There is no point in assuming, one must know absolutely, at least that's what I believe."
"Of what abilities do you speak"
The cowled figure, stretches lazily atop the stool, his short arms extended by loose sleeves. When it appears his feet will at last uncoil and reach the floor, they stop well short of the ground.
Your suspicions are confirmed when the figure jumps off the stool and steps toward you. He can't be even four feet tall. THere's no way.
Standing as tallas he can, the figure drops the cowel behind his head, revealing the pommels of twin swords behind his shoulders.
"I'm an experienced caravanner, for one. And I hunt giants."
The revealed face is proud and handsome, if road-weary. He looks each of you over as if searching for an equal.
It appears he's one of those halflings with a chip on his shoulder.
As the halfling sizes everyone, Amelia will fix him with a stare.
Sense Motive on the halfling:
"Giants, eh? You expect to see many giants living in the mountain, hm?" Jack sizes up the little guy, notes the well worn handles on the short swords and decides to leave off any size comments.
Amelia
High priest Deovain stands and walks toward the door.
"Patience my large friend. It is getting late so I will have sleeping quarters made ready for you all. I suggest you get some rest for on the morrow your journey will begin in earnest. The Moru Road will take you North towards your destiny and it is a long journey. If you will have any special requests ready for me by first light I will do my best to see that they are met to the best of our abilities. Now if you will be patient for a few minutes longer I will see to your accomodation."
With that, Deovain bows to you all and leaves the room, his leather sandles making a slap, slap sound as he walks away.
"Well, don't be fooled, friend. I hunt more than just giants, but I hear these mountains offer quite the test to someone like myself."
Turning to the priest, the halfling smiles innocently. "If you'd have a breakfast full of those sweet cakes I had this morning, a few for the road would make me very happy."
After High priest Deovain exits, Amelia will take a seat where she can, reclining at the same time.
To Kimeon:
"I am Amelia of Irori, I seek lost knowledge and history. What is it that you seek; I mean to say what is your purpose, if you wish to say that is?"
After a few seconds: "Where would I find these sweet cakes you refer to?"
To all:
"Is there anything that I can prepare for anyone this evening before we depart? If not, I will be in their library until the early morning hours; after I've spoken with the high priest if I am able."
"My lady, let me accompany you to the library" states Tukonen as he offers his arm. Tukonen looks fondly at the halfling, remembering that his family had serveral halflings as servants back in Cheliax, he hated how they were treated and was very kind to several of them in private. "Well met friend, we are honored to have you joins us" the greeting rings off Tukonen's flabby jowls.
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Listening intently to Amelia the usual confusion does not appear, rather he grins at her
"Is good, me unnerstan some of wat you say. Me be okay an not want anyfin. Me just go back to me bed an see you wen the light comes back to the sky..." and he trails of in a mumble of "...me no want rain, me not want to be wet..."
Amelia will accept Tukonen's offering of his arm.
To Gronck:
"See you when the light returns to the sky. I can make it so that you are okay in the rain too."
To all:
"I am a cleric, so whatever needs one can think of in that capacity I should be able to accomplish. If nothing else, Tukonen and I will be in the library."
Amelia will depart to the library. She will attempt to find the high priest at a later time, as she had planned.
To Shaggy:
To Tukonen, in a lower tone than normal:
"Alls I need is drink and a warm bed. Got any of each?" Jack strolls toward the waiting bed, dreaming of ale and rewards.
The halfling shrugs as if he had never thought about it before.
"I don't know what I'm looking for. I guess to keep busy and hone my skills."
He watches the cleric leave with her escort before chiming in, "Those sweet rolls are baked fresh and come with honey. I'll be first in line at breakfast as long as they're around!"
He looks around at the rest of you. "It's kind of a slow night life here,despite all the explorers coming in and out of town. I'm off to find a roling tavern and maybe charm a lass. See you in the morning!"
"I will be off to bed and make an early night of it. One must be prepared the long walk ahead. Besides, who knows when we'll get a good nights rest again?"
Kimeon said: "Those sweet rolls are baked fresh and come with honey. I'll be first in line at breakfast as long as they're around!"
Amelia will respond: "We shall see about that!"
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At Amelia's kind words a look of astonishment and wonderment crosses his face - its obvious to her that he is not used to this kind of treatment.
"Iffen you can do dat den you be good..." his voice trailing off like he's been here before, expecting the best and getting the worst.
He waits a few seconds to see what Amelia does and then returns to the heap of straw where they first met him to settle down for the night.
The halfling shrugs as if he had never thought about it before.
"I don't know what I'm looking for. I guess to keep busy and hone my skills."
He watches the cleric leave with her escort before chiming in, "Those sweet rolls are baked fresh and come with honey. I'll be first in line at breakfast as long as they're around!"
He looks around at the rest of you. "It's kind of a slow night life here,despite all the explorers coming in and out of town. I'm off to find a roling tavern and maybe charm a lass. See you in the morning!"
Kimeon
Amelia & Tukonen
"The High Priest will see you in his quarters when you are finished Amelia"
She bows and leaves.
Several books are of interest to you here:-
THE DIARIES OF FIALL GARNWYNN
Sheathe your sword, my poor son,
In a scabbard of hide,
Let the steel be inside
Where all true deeds be done;
Sheathe your sword, my poor son,
In a scabbard of stone;
Let the rock be the throne
For the blade of the sun;
Sheathe your sword, my poor son,
In a scabbard of wood,
Let old oak drop the food
That your cold steel shall spawn;
Sheathe your sword, my poor son,
In a scabbard of sea;
Let the sightless depths be
Where the warrior hath gone;
Sheathe your sword, my poor son,
In a scabbard of man!
Let your foes become wan,
Their slaves scatter and run!
Sheathe your sword, should you wish,
In a scabbard of me,
So your black heart may see
How your joy I relish;
Still, if you sheathe your sword
In a scabbard of scale,
Let your soul become pale
And no Gods give you word.
(Found carved on a standing stone, near the site of
the disappeared Black Elk tribe)
"This, then, shall be my last pitiful attempt at making
sense of this bottomless abyss I have insisted in
calling ‘life’ for the past near-century. Sometimes I
wonder just how contemptible I must be, to need these
ludicrous endeavours to fl ee the mirthless abyss of my
immortal blood. Even undertaking these explorations
was stupid enough, I see it now; however, making
literature out of them, truly putting them to the
written word for innocent souls to read, must surely
be a crime beyond the Gods’ ken. Yet I cannot find the
strength to stop myself, for now remembering comes
much easier to me than forgetting…"
Fiall Garnwynn
– Nowhere, No Time At All
"Located in the middle of the little known and justly
feared Morudhain lands, Mount Moru remains a
realm of terrible secrets and unfamiliar dangers.
For years, the dread crags around this mountain and
its unfathomable depths have remained unknown
by the civilised world. It is a well known fact, of
course, Mount Moru was the site of the ancient Athan
civilisation, of which no trace remains except a couple
of ruins. However, no living sage has explored the
depths of the mounts, or the natural caverns that
are known to lie below it. At least part of the reason
is the admittedly little aesthetic appeal posed by a
dangerous, craggy peak in the middle of a wasteland
when compared to an ancient
elven city or an exotic faraway
jungle; even so, any explorer
worth his salt will admit a
certain sense of frustration at
not having yet explored that
darkly attractive summit."
–From Sir Damhain’s Travel
Guide for the Adventurous Sort
"Respect what you do not know,
for not knowing is a mighty
thing."
–Morudhain folk saying
"Mount Morrah? I dinna rightly
know, sir. Must be dragons
below it for sure."
–Breannus Cogg, Fisherman of
Meadowvale
The Legend of the Haunted Lake
The Haunted Lake
Near Mount Moru’s lower occidental slope,
about 3,000 feet above the ground, there is
an underground spring coming out through a
great cave in the mountain face. The spring
turns into a pond of troubled water a few
hundred feet below, which in turn spills into
a thin creek, scattered with waterfalls, that
descends all the way down to a great loch
at the western mountain base. The spring,
the pond, the creek, the waterfalls and of
course the loch at the bottom are known to
be haunted, with several legends and reports
agreeing that something unnatural lives at
the lake.
The Drowned Bride
Decades ago there was a village, whose name has
been forgotten, near the craggy peak that is now
known as the Mount of Terror, barely an hour’s ride
west of the Haunted Loch. There was a girl in this
village, the daughter of an important landlord of the
realm; this girl had such grace and beauty all young
men in the village courted her. She infl amed every
one of them equally, for she loved the admiration
of men; however, there was one she preferred above
all the rest – the brave and handsome son of the
scribe. This young lad had never spoken to her, yet
he wrote her long and moving letters where he spoke
of his true love; it was these letters that moved the
lady’s soul and made her irrevocably injured with
love. So, while she played games with all her other
suitors, the lady was secretly waiting for the young
scribe to speak of marriage. However, the young
lad was rather shy in matters of the heart, as brave
as he was in other aspects; therefore he never dared
speak or propose to the lady, being content with
wistfully looking away every time she wooed and
laughed with the other men. In fact, he believed the
lady did not love him back, and soon lost all hope;
he stopped visiting the lass and began leaving the
city for long periods. Local folk rumoured he went
to the dark grey lake by the mountain, now known
as the Haunted Loch, to write melancholic odes to
dejection near the dead waters.
When the lass got tired of waiting, she decided to
force the young lad to action by inciting his jealousy;
she accepted and even became engaged to another
man and then to another, expecting the young scribe
to come out of his stupor and attempt to win her
heart himself. Instead of being stirred up to action
as the girl wanted, the young lad was deeply hurt
by these provocations and decided he would take
his revenge. His heart, once clear and innocent,
darkened with pain; his youthful countenance turned
grim and hard with bitterness. He came uninvited to
the lass’ birthday party, storming through the gates
like a messenger of doom, and there he found his
beloved gaily dancing in the arms of another man.
There, in the dance hall, before dozens of guests,
the young scribe cast a terrible curse upon the lass
and the man she was with, dooming her to never fi nd
happiness with a man ever again, for his was the
only true love she would have ever known. After
these odious words, the young scribe rode away
like thunder, his face that of a striking, wrathful god
of olden times. He left the village without saying
goodbye to anyone, going away forever to his home
at the Haunted Loch. The terrified girl, who never
thought her game would go so far, was horribly
disappointed with her love and fell under a spell of
grief for a whole year, during which she courted no
man and saw nobody outside her family. Day after
day visitors arrived or sent gifts, and they all were
sent back. After some time, nobody went to see the
beautiful lady, whose isolated grief became a part of
local folklore.
A year passed by and the girls’ mother and father
became so scared that her little child would waste
away to nothing that they begged her to come out
from her sorrow, promising her anything if she
would only take a young lad as her husband and live
as befi ts a lady again. She finally accepted, on the
condition her hand was promised only to a man that
could write the most beautiful of verses to express
his love. Her parents complied and, within a few
days, a poetry contest was held in the village; it was
announced the winner would get the hand of the
young lady. The poems and love letters that fl ew to
the lass’ house were uncounted, for the young men of
the village had never forgotten her legendary beauty,
even during her long seclusion. The girl read all of
the letters, becoming more tired and grief-struck
with each of them, for none showed the vivid, yet
innocent worship of the man she had once loved; all
fell empty and insincere to her needy heart. Then,
when she had read all the letters and was ready to die
of disenchantment and frustration, there was a knock
at the door of the estate; the guards that opened it
saw no one but the shadow of a black raven, cawing
hatefully as it flew away. There was a letter on the
door, sealed with black wax and enveloped in ashes.
It was addressed to the young lady and, when her
parents saw it, they were afraid and wanted to cast it
into the fire. However, she walked down the stairs
as if under a spell, took the letter from her parents’
hands and locked herself up to read it. There it was
– there were the words of love, there was the pure
devotion, the true adoration of those letters she had
read so long ago.
That night, while her poor parents silently prayed
for her well-being, the young girl sneaked out of her
room, left her house and went walking alone in the
night. Those who saw her that night said she was
following a black raven. She never returned to the
village again.
A full moon later, some fishermen found the lady
at the bottom of the Haunted Loch – together with
her body, they dragged up the drowned corpse of the
young scribe that had disappeared from the village
more than a year ago. Legend has it the young lady’s
pale corpse, as beautiful as it had been in life, was
still wearing a white wedding dress.
–Traditional folktale
In addition to the legends, there are many actual
reports of supernatural encounters near the edge
of the lake; this writer has talked to several
Morudhain men and women that swore having seen
strange creatures, fish-like yet walking as humans,
clambering about the water’s edges during the late
hours and, at the first break of dawn, climbing back
up the cursed mountain and into some watery dark
lair of ancient evil.
A Delvers Guide to Mount Moru
The following are excerpts of notes based on Fiall
Garnwynn’s actual, first-hand exploration of Mount
Moru, during which he personally visited many of the
areas described herein. Additional material has been
compiled from notes by other explorers, as well as a
few accounts taken directly from the local folk (Note
by the Researchers).
"There I go again, though I already regret my fi rst
visit so much I would rather the gods had smitten me
instead of allowing it. I should have never become
attracted to this damned place, should have never
come here… and yet I have no doubt it was my
destiny all along. I do belong to Mount Moru; I am
as much a part of it as the monsters and legends. I
can never turn back…"
–Fiall Garnwynn, A Goodbye
Moru Road
Moru Road starts a few hundred feet northeast of the
Meadowvale village and then it winds northward a
little more than 100 miles until arriving to the base
of Mount Moru. In all, following the road from
Meadowvale to Mount Moru takes roughly one
week on foot. To the north, Moru Road ends in the
Lost Pass at the southern face of the mountain; this
pass used to be a pathway right through the base of
Mount Moru, from which Moru Road continued
on northward. However, the pass was blocked by
rubble a few centuries ago, now, the offi cial end of
Moru Road is the Lost Pass; the only way to continue
northward without going around Mount Moru is to
take the Moru Path up into the mountain.
The Moru Path
There is a mountain trail leading off the point where
Moru Road dies at the Lost Pass junction. This trail
meanders up into the mountain for about a day’s
walk until it reaches the first tunnels into the Upper
Areas inside Mount Moru, a little more than a mile
above ground level. This ascending trail, known as
the Moru Path, is the main access way inside Mount
Moru; nearly all of the explorers and travellers that
come to Mount Moru use the Moru Path to get in.
The Moru Path ends officially at the entrance of the
tunnels into the Upper Areas; after that, the long trip
inside Mount Moru begins…
The Haunted Lake
The third and most unusual entrance into Mount Moru
is the Haunted Lake, which I have discussed earlier in
these notes. By following the course of the spring and
waterfalls that feed the haunted loch at the mountain
base, it is possible to find a trail leading 3,000 feet up
into the mouth of a cave. This cave leads inside some
abandoned mines, probably made by dwarves or by
some unfortunate Morudhain settlers. There must be
at least a few paths leading from these mines inside
Mount Moru, though I cannot swear thus since I have
not finished exploring the mines myself. Should
the gods grant me the courage to travel to that damn
mountain again, I shall try and fi nish my exploration
some day…
Beneath Mount Moru
(Note from the Researchers): The following notes
about ‘inner’ Mount Moru are taken from extremely
varied and unreliable sources, from Fiall Garnwynn’s
occasional drinking ‘adventurer’ companions, to
superstitious Morudhain savages that could produce
no proof of their testimonies. Furthermore, the notes
have been gathered from wildly different periods and
stages of Garnwynn’s own research, which accounts
for their disparity and flawed arrangement. A much
more clear, comprehensive and trustworthy account of
inner Mount Moru can be found in the most excellent
treatise entitled The Path of Archaneroth.
The High Fortress
"The reason we are gathered here, then, is to report
the successful expedition into the first underground
level of Mount Moru, undertaken by the Royal
Brigade and my person (…) after we cleared the last
of the tunnels, we discovered a complete underground
fortress, of such size and complexity it could easily
have been called a palace or citadel. We deemed
it was of Athaean design, for the architecture was
much reminiscent of the other Athaean cities we
have seen and it was located in the entrance to the
Athaean territory (…) thus we have named it the High
Fortress, as it is located high and close to the surface
and its builders surely used it for elevated purposes.
We proceeded to obtain whatever treasures we could
deem as being of value and worthy of the treasure
halls of Her Majesty, while myself and other sages
made the following transcript, being a precise copy of
the markings we found on the walls and its meaning
in the Athaean tongue (…)"
–Account of the discovery of the High Fortress by
the Royal Expedition Brigade (excerpt)
"There be somethin’ like a castle a few hundrid feet
after th’ Moru Path entrance… it look like a cave
but it be no cave proper cuz below the rock are old
walls, like they was built and not natural, if ye get me
meanin’ sir… a mine? Mmmm, no, I did not find no
mine, guv’nor…"
–Archus Brainnan, prospector
"Yes, they entered the caves last moon. I saw it.
Shadow demons or goblins they were, moving like
they were bound for the tunnels inside… how many?
Enough to take over the cursed fortress, that is for
sure. The goblins are moving for war, they are…"
–Maevai Narrough, Morudhain shepherd
Dwarven Mines
"Not only am I sure there is a gold mine beyond the
Haunted Lake entrance into Mount Moru; I am also
certain the dwarves at Stonehold have settled in
Mount Moru for the very purpose of taking it back.
Why they have not moved into it, I cannot tell, as
I cannot be moved to take the gold myself. After
learning what I learned there, no amount of gold
shall be worth a lifetime of damnation. Perhaps the
dwarves are waiting for someone or something to
make Mount Moru healthy again. If that is the case,
they shall rot in their stone halls for their mine shall
be forever surrounded by Hell…"
–Fiall Garnwynn, Paths Into the Rock
The Fire Pits
"Though no living explorer has actually gone beyond
the deep mines below the Athan Fortress, it stands
to reason that there should be volcanic caves, even
lava pits, somewhere deeper into Mount Moru. As
we all know, all mountains are extensions of the fiery
environment below the earth; I cannot see why Mount
Moru should be an exception. Surely these fire caves
are not the infernal realm of Morudhain superstition
– surely they are warm tunnels connected to lava pits,
nothing more."
–From the Studies on Mount Moru by Andwar
Bacchi
"Below the mines there is nothing. Nothing but Hell
itself, with its fire pits and its demons. I shall go
beyond that, though, for that is my doom.
–Fiall Garnwynn, A Goodbye
The Giant Caves
"There are too many testimonies referring to the
existence of giants in the Mount Moru for us to cast
aside. Going no further than local accounts, we can
identify no less than three different giant species,
sharing space inside the mountain. Some reports
place them high in the mountain paths, while some
below the mountain base. Probably both are true
– there is enough space in Mount Moru, that is for
sure."
–From Cynnar Darran’s Giants of the World
"According to the Morudhain and the dark-skinned
gnomish creatures that they sometimes trade with,
there is a fantastic realm, inhabited solely by giants,
located somewhere underground, near the base of
Mount Moru. Sadly, the tunnels into the mountain
base remain blocked and trying to descend into the
inner mount from the upper accesses has proven a
dangerous and diffi cult enterprise; therefore we have
no way to prove or deny these stories. Until a brave
and resourceful adventurer manages to reach the
long-abandoned depths of the inner mountain base
and explore them thoroughly, we shall never know
whether there really are ‘giant caves’ below Mount
Moru or not."
–From the Studies on Mount Moru by Andwar
Bacchi
Underground Realms
There should be no doubt about the existence of a
full-scale underground environment, with its tunnels,
creatures and perhaps even cities, below Mount
Moru. Not only because of the several relations and
legends referring to such a world but also because it
makes sense that such a vast cave complex as Mount
Moru should extend far below. So far the only thing
we know for sure is the presence of an underground
city inhabited by gnome-like beings, which call
themselves sveir fay blin as far as this writer knows.
However, these sveir fay blin brought many other
stories along with them, such as the rumour of dark
dwarf-like races bent on conquest, living in great
fortress deep below the earth, evil dragons lurking
in pitch-black caves or even dark elves, which
would have nothing to do in these parts of the world
but perhaps could have reached Mount Moru from
unknown underground tunnels. These stories are all
as yet unsubstantiated, yet they do cast a kind of spell
on the listener – the unknowable, indefi nable feel
that only true stories have, no matter how fantastic or
terrifying they may be."
The Lightless Depths
"What is below the depths? What is below the
deepest realms of Mount Moru? Even darker caves,
even deeper tunnels, ever darker and deeper until
there is nowhere to go but Hell? Dark underground
realms, ruled by races forgotten by mortal men? Or
perhaps the lost Athan cities; cursed by the gods and
buried forever under unfathomable tons of rock…
is Archaneroth there, somewhere below the deepest
depths? Are dragons there? Is the Old Dragon himself
there, as stated by Morudhain legends? I do not think
we shall ever know, unless a man actually goes in
there and finds out for himself."
–Fiall Garnwynn, A Goodbye
wisdom check to remember the books information overall:
Amelia will excuse herself from Tukonen's company after some hours have passed.
She will go to the high priests office and knock politely. If no answer, she will look for his quarters and do the same.
Her main goal is to find all information on the relic unicorn horn, its abilities, etc. Any and all information about the mount moru region, to include inhabitants, its complete history and legends. If such information is available in written form and is easier to distribute the knowledge that way, she will ask to borrow the tomes for the journey to use as a reference guide.
Amelia will excuse herself from Tukonen's company after some hours have passed.
She will go to the high priests office and knock politely. If no answer, she will look for his quarters and do the same.Her main goal is to find all information on the relic unicorn horn, its abilities, etc. Any and all information about the mount moru region, to include inhabitants, its complete history and legends. If such information is available in written form and is easier to distribute the knowledge that way, she will ask to borrow the tomes for the journey to use as a reference guide.
Deovain invites you into his office. He bids you sit and explains that the Unicorn Horn is a blessed weapon and the bane of darkness and evil everywhere, representing the light of truth and the piercing
might of knowledge. The Unicorn Horn looks like a spear, crafted from the true horn of a unicorn and given a shaft of sacred white wood. When the unicorn horn is wielded in combat it is said to exhibit powerful and unique abilities although the High Priest is unsure as to their exact nature - he has never seen it wielded in anger.In regards tomes, he gives you leave to borrow the guide to Mount Moru book, on the promise that it will be returned safely.
wisdom check to remember the books information overall:
** spoiler omitted **
Amelia can recall most of the important information.
Amelia will stand and curtsie to the high priest when he is complete.
"You have my thanks for your hospitality. I may have use of the horn or one of the others to weild it in anger, I will be sure to discover its abilities; I'm confident you would not wish to see such a display.
I will keep the Mount Moru guidebook as safe as I can. I will attempt to forge a bond between the churches of Irori and Iri, so that we may assist each other in the future."
Amelia will move to the library and check Tukonen's progress, inform him of the proceedings with the high priest and bid him well for the night. She will take the Guide to Mount Moru with her, unless Tukonen is reading it; in that case she will have him secure it for her and return it in the morning.
With that, Amelia will retire to her room and sleep until a prudent time.
OOC-enough time to eat, dress, don armor and have 30 minutes before all must meet up
Tukonen will stay up a little later trying to gain as much knowledge of what to expect on the journey before turning in, he still gets his rest.
Kimeon walks for a few minutes in the night air before realizing there's nothing in town really worth the round trip. Longing for some kind of action before turning in, he searches for a tree standing close to the temple and tests himself. He sets out a small hourglass and flips it over. He then climbs the tree, scampers across the branches and leaps to the nearest balcony. He finishes his exercise by scaling back down the wall, somewhat recklessly. When he returns to the hourglass, he flips it over without waiting and immediately repeats the routine, trying to beat his time.
After a few repetitions of this, he returns to the temple for a final mug of ale and a bath.
Kimeon walks for a few minutes in the night air before realizing there's nothing in town really worth the round trip. Longing for some kind of action before turning in, he searches for a tree standing close to the temple and tests himself. He sets out a small hourglass and flips it over. He then climbs the tree, scampers across the branches and leaps to the nearest balcony. He finishes his exercise by scaling back down the wall, somewhat recklessly. When he returns to the hourglass, he flips it over without waiting and immediately repeats the routine, trying to beat his time.
After a few repetitions of this, he returns to the temple for a final mug of ale and a bath.
The mornng dawns cold and grey. A wind howls from the North, bringing a chill to the drafty halls of the temple. Many of the priests have been up now for a few hours attending prayers and beginning the days chores.
Deovain greets you and joins you while you take breakfast, explaining that horses have been provided for you and provisioned for the journey ahead.
"Your mounts await in the yard. Take care of them, as they have been trusted servants to us over the years. I wont pretend that I rate your chances and there is every chance I might not see some of your faces again. But hope goes with you; hope and our holy blessing. Gods speed to you all."
With that he stands and makes his exit. You are sure that a stray tear crept down his cheek.
"Well that's enough to make a man feel all warm inside..." Jack complains in a barely audible voice as he hunches in his cloak against the cold. "Can't we get a move on?" He calls out in a louder voice.
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The door from the courtyard swings open with an icy blast as Gronck comes in from where he slept. Making his way across the hall he looks over at Jack wrapping himself even tighter in his cloak and returns to close the doors again. He then moves over to where Jack is standing.
"Is dis more food dat me can be eatin?"
The door from the courtyard swings open with an icy blast as Gronck comes in from where he slept. Making his way across the hall he looks over at Jack wrapping himself even tighter in his cloak and returns to close the doors again. He then moves over to where Jack is standing.
"Is dis more food dat me can be eatin?"
** spoiler omitted **
Grock
A few piests come out to wave you off, perhaps looking like they have done this sort of thing too many times before. You all get an uneasy shiver down your spines s you realise that this may be the last time you see these people again...
The road to Mount Moru stretches north as far as you can see. It is a windswept, neglected road, closer to a natural trail than a paved
thoroughfare. Nothing moves in this dreary grey landscape, except the occasional dust cloud carried by the east wind. Mount Moru, the end
of this road, is supposed to be barely visible from
here but is hidden behind low cloud; however, you are sure you can discern the shadowy silhouette of the craggy peak, awaiting
somewhere over the line of the horizon.
Thavian looks his horse over and decides everything looks in place. He mounts rather clumsily. "Gronck, these horses are for riding, not eating. For the time being at least."
"Wow." mutters Kimeon some moments after we depart. "The town has a reputation for welcoming adventurers. The temple outside the town sends them off with a eulogy."
He brightens up after a few seconds. "So...who hears tales of giants in the mountains? And what sort of folk have I joined up with, eh? Better to know each other now, than to save the lives of complete strangers!"
Amelia will curtsie to the crowd and begin the trek down the lonely road to Mount Moru, keeping a gait equal to the group.
OOC-She did prepare one Endure Elements for Gronck
Jack shrugs, riding his horse like a seal rides a dog. He fidgets as you go. "I'm a poor butcher's son, orphaned by cruel fate and forced to live a live of quiet poverty until the day when my royal heritage is finally recognized and I am taken as High King, to rule over the land of Jabarria. Oh, and I collect ivory figurines, the better to appease my evil uncle Lord Foehammer, when he comes to collect my blood as payment for my mother's hand in marriage. (He likes ivory, you see.)"
You can tell even Jack doesn't believe the lies falling from his mouth. It's more of a pasttime than any real attempt at deception.
Kimeon looks over at Amelia after Jack's outburst and rolls his eyes. The longer he goes on, the more severe are Kimeon's antics, until at the end he stands on his horse and mimes throwing a rope over a passing branch. When the horse passes under the tree, the halfing jumps, eliciting a small yelp of surprise, but he lands on his feet and doesn't seem to cause the horse much discomfort.
He finally sits down just in time for Jack to end his stories and look around to see who's listening.
Kimeon affects an innocent shrug. "That's an unusual life, sir. I hope it doesn't end at the foot of the mountain!"
Tukonen looks Jack square in the eyes and replies in a flat voice, "It seems we have the same Uncle, imagine the chances"
At Tukonen's comment, the halfling steers his horse closer to the young lady priest.
"It appears," he whispers, "That my choices for conversation are between you and the orc."
He doesn't say anything, but makes a screwed up face, as if agonizing over a decision.
Finally, he leans close to her and mouths the word,
"Congratulations."